Pick Westbrook

Chapter 315 Oh ~ oh oh oh

The Hornets challenged the Cavaliers away.

After experiencing the difficulty of James leaving the team, the Cavaliers quickly completed the rebuild.

They got a valuable trade exception in James' sign-and-trade, and then immediately got the Clippers' first-round pick.

This draft pick unexpectedly became the No. [-] pick with a low probability in this year's draft.

The Cavaliers immediately drafted Kyrie Irving.

"Coach, is this the player you said is stronger than Paul in terms of street ball footwork and singles moves?"

No matter how many times Du Feng looked at Kyrie Irving, he didn't think that Kyrie Irving was as capable as Li Lai said.

He saw Paul's personal ability clearly this season, and Du Feng even once had the idea that Paul is the strongest point guard in the NBA.

Paul has already used streetball moves so appropriately on the court, how could Irving be better than him.

Stevens said: "Kyrie Irving was born in Melbourne, Australia, and holds dual citizenship of the United States and Australia."

"He is a talented student from the prestigious Duke University, but when I first heard his name, he was just a talented high school student from Montclair Kimberley Private High School."

"Kyrie Irving averaged 25 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals per game in his senior year of high school. He was the MVP of the McDonald's All-Star Game and the Most Valuable Player of the Jordan Classic."

"Last year in the NCAA, the focus of Duke University and Butler University, Irving made 12 of 8 shots and scored a game-high 31 points, leading Duke University to victory over Butler University."

"It's also the second-highest score scored by a rookie in Duke history."

After hearing this, Du Feng suddenly thought of something, and asked Stevens with his eyes.

Stevens said without concealing: "Yes, I was leading Butler University at the time, and Kyrie Irving eliminated me personally."

Stevens still remembers that game. On the field at that time, Irving was like the incarnation of Jordan, getting to the basket with ease.

Whether it's long shots, breakthroughs or mid-range, Irving doesn't seem to have any weaknesses on the court. Stevens even used foul tactics in order to defend and reduce Irving's fiery touch.

But Irving's free throw ability is also surprisingly good. In that game, he made 12 of 11 free throws and almost single-handedly overwhelmed the entire Butler University.

Stevens said seriously: "The coach is right. Kyrie Irving, like Paul, has perfectly used streetball techniques on the court."

"It's just that unlike Paul's way of improving streetball movements, Kyrie Irving has not yet had such an innovative ability to turn complexity into simplicity and decay into magic."

"He dared to use such street ball moves because of the ball feel!"

"Kyrie Irving has the best ball feel and ball handling ability I've ever seen, a lot like Allen Iverson."

Hearing that Stevens also gave Kyrie Irving such a high evaluation, Du Feng was even more shocked. He thought to himself: No wonder the coach concluded that Irving is better than Paul in streetball ability.

At this moment, Li Lai suddenly said something that the two of them didn't understand at all.

"The sky did not give birth to me, Ou Banxian, breaking through the ages like a long night. Holding the bright moon and picking the stars, Owen is not a mortal."

On-site commentary desk.

Kenny Smith said an interesting thing.

"In the latest ranking of the best rookies in the voting, Kyrie Irving deservedly became the first with an average of 19 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists per game."

"Ricky Rubio of the Timberwolves ranked second with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 9 assists per game."

“科怀-伦纳德场均13分5篮板1助攻1抢断1盖帽排名第三位。”

"If nothing else, the best rookie of the season will be contested among the three."

Barkley said: "If you only look at the data, the data of Kyrie Irving and Ricky Rubio are of course better."

"One of the two is close to 20+5+5, and the other almost averaged a double-double."

"You know, the only player in the league averaging a double-double in points and assists this season is Chris Paul of the Hornets."

"In other words, Rubio, who debuted as a rookie, is almost on par with Paul in terms of statistics."

"On the contrary, Leonard's data is the worst, and he looks like an ordinary starter."

"However, in terms of high-level net difference and defensive efficiency, Leonard has completely outperformed the two, and the Hornets are also much better than the Timberwolves and Cavaliers in terms of team record."

In Barkley's view, if the best rookie award is based on a player's influence on the team, then Leonard deserves this award.

In the Hornets, Leonard is the most important part of their defensive system.

But judging from the love of the fans and the highlights of this season's regular season, Irving should be the most popular one.

Because the Rookie of the Year Award is voted by sports journalists across the United States and Canada, most of such non-professionals will vote with game highlights.

In the regular season, Irving's collection looks like an All-Star player, and his style of play is even more gorgeous.

"So if nothing else happens, Irving will most likely win the Rookie of the Year award this season."

Hornets dugout.

Leonard still looked at the court with a deadpan look, and he didn't seem to have any fighting spirit for the best rookie award.

Li took a look at the other party, wondering if Leonard really didn't want this award, or if he was hiding his thoughts.

He walked over and asked curiously, "Kawhi, do you want the best rookie?"

Leonard hesitated for a while, looked at Li Lai who had been taking care of him for a long time, and then nodded for the first time.

Li Lai immediately nodded and said, "Very good."

"During this period of time, you have also learned a lot under the guidance of Vince and Peja. I want to see you beat Irving on both offense and defense tonight."

Game start.

Hornets regular starter.

Cavaliers starting lineup: point guard Kyrie Irving, shooting guard Lester Hudson, small forward Antawn Jamison, power forward Tristan Thompson and center Anderson Varejao.

Midfield jump ball.

Jordan snatched the ball from Varejao without pressure.

Paul advances with the ball.

Kenny Smith said very confidently: "There is no doubt that at this time the Hornets will play cross-screening under the basket, and Jordan will use the pick-and-roll tactic."

Barkley nodded again and again, very sure of his old partner's judgment.

This tactic is also the most basic and most commonly used offensive tactic of the Hornets.

Seeing the young rookie Irving defending himself, Paul did not try to single the opponent to give Irving a lesson, and at the same time, Jordan did not bring up the idea of ​​​​playing pick-and-rolls at all.

Kenny Smith was so confident that he felt lonely, looking at the picture on the court completely confused.

At this time Leonard suddenly put up the pick-and-roll, and Lester Hudson and Irving switched defenses instantly.

After switching defenses, Leonard sank directly to the baseline, while Jordan went to the weak side to cover for Vince Carter.

The head coach of the Cavaliers, Byron Scott, is not a rookie among the coaches. He was also the head coach who led the Nets Trident in the league and became a famous head coach.

So Byron Scott is very clear that the pick-and-roll tactics of the defensive Hornets should be changed as much as possible, and they should not be given the opportunity to easily break through the inside.

But in this way, under Jordan's involvement, the inside line Varejao switched to Vince Carter, and at the same time Varejao was taken away from the basket by the latter.

The scene on the court became Leonard facing Irving, and the inside line was completely in a state of defensive emptiness.

Paul dribbled to the right and gave it to Leonard with an active attack.

Kenny Smith didn't understand it until this time, and said: "The Hornets have never designed a low-post singles tactic for Leonard."

"Why are they fighting like this at this time?"

Barkley suddenly thought of something and said: "Leonard and Irving are both rookies in the same class this year. Could it be that the coaching staff of the Hornets is deliberately making them match up?"

"Li Lai wants to make trouble!"

Leonard hit Irving back.

A nice post-up drive to the hoop, then a spin and a low layup.

"good."

Du Feng gave a very pertinent evaluation.

But Stevens frowned dissatisfied. He said: "Leonard's post-up singles level can only be said to be passable. Of course, it is much better than when he first entered the team."

"But if this level meets a player with an average defensive level in the league at the same position, his playing like this will not help the team in any practical sense."

Stevens already knew Li Lai very well. He believed that Li Lai could not let the players play games so casually on the court simply because Leonard and Irving were competing for the best rookie award.

"Coach Li Lai has always been extremely serious and rigorous about the game."

Stevens suddenly glanced at Irving, who was defending Leonard, and frowned even more. He felt that Irving's defense was too eye-catching.

If Irving's offensive ability is already top-notch in the league, then his defense may not even reach the passing line.

"Is the coach deliberately letting Leonard eat Irving's defense?"

Stevens suddenly woke up and asked back.

Li Lai nodded without hiding it.

Naturally, he will not disregard the team's victory for a best rookie competition, and the fierce competition in the West does not allow him to give up any game.

Therefore, Leonard's defense against Irving is one of the team's tactical strategies, followed by the best rookie competition between the two.

Irving's defensive problems have been serious since entering the league, which is very similar to Iverson who first entered the league.

Of course, with a career that is almost very similar to Iverson, Irving will also deliberately improve his defensive ability in the future.

Li Lai still remembers that Irving in his previous life was guided by a new coach after he came to the Nets, and his defensive plus/minus has reached -1.12 points.

Although Owen's performance has made great progress, it is still negative.

This is slightly different from Iverson.

Iverson was at the top of the league in terms of stealing ability and early blocking of breakthrough routes at his peak.

The reason why Li Lai said that Irving and Iverson are very similar is that in addition to their singles ability and similar careers, they also have the same unique behavior and temper.

Iverson's hip-hop style made the league almost ban him, and Irving's praying to God and worshiping Buddha won the fan title Ou Shenxian.

"It's just a pity that Irving's idol is not Iverson, otherwise his career would not go further and further on the singles road."

"If you don't study hard on defense, you only learn to attack."

Switch offense.

Owen, who was beaten by Leonard Moore, instantly felt the aura of aloof black mamba in his heart.

He didn't even look at Leonard, he just thought that the other party was completely unworthy of him, so why would he want to single him out.

After receiving the ball in the backcourt, Irving held the ball and pushed forward, without even thinking about speeding up to cross the half court immediately.

After seeing Leonard actually defending him in the backcourt ahead of time, Irving dribbled the ball directly past the opponent.

Paul alertly rushed forward to help defend, but to his surprise, Owen turned his back and passed him cleanly.

Vince Carter quickly reached out to steal.

It stands to reason that Irving has made a lot of dribbling changes in a row, and even if the center of gravity of the body is not out of balance, it is difficult to make large-scale extraordinary moves again.

This ball Vince Carter should also be able to form a steal easily, and Du Feng is even ready to call a defensive counterattack on the coach's bench.

As a result, Irving made another dribble behind his back and passed Vince Carter cleanly again.

It's in the frontcourt!

boom!
Seeing the timing of Irving's layup, Jordan sent a pegboard cap.

Du Feng was dripping with cold sweat.

"Fortunately, we have Jordan, and his ability to protect the frame is at least at the forefront of the league."

"If you change the inside line, the ball will have to be blown by Irving."

Stevens had already prepared that Irving would play an extremely dazzling offense in tonight's game, but he was still taken aback after seeing the opponent's performance on the court.

"He is so flirtatious."

After Jordan picked up the rebound, he passed a long pass to Paul near the center line. The latter hit the ground directly to Leonard who was still in the frontcourt.

The expressionless Leonard robot split the dunk with one hand.

Kenny Smith was speechless.

"The Hornets have Leonard in the frontcourt and Vince Carter following up. Why did Paul pass to Leonard!"

"This dunk is dead, we want to see a UFO dunk!"

"Coach Li Lai, can you tell us about the players in the team?"

Kenny Smith's words immediately resonated with all the Cleveland fans on the scene.

Vince Carter on the court couldn't help but smile helplessly.

Leonard was very happy and shy, and Butler, who was watching off the field, couldn't help shouting a facial paralysis.

Li Lai was booed by the Cleveland fans, he shook his head without hesitation.

In tonight's game, he just wants to let fans and commentators all over the world know that Irving's offense is certainly gorgeous, but Leonard is no worse than the opponent in terms of influence on the court.

He can also put up good numbers.

After seeing Li Lai's response, Kenny Smith was extremely disappointed. He stood up at the commentary stand and waved his hands to mobilize the emotions of the fans.

Cleveland fans at the scene, led by Kenny Smith, stood up and applauded, and shouted: "We want to see UFO take off."

Li Lai pursed his lips and shook his head still smiling.

At this time, Barkley also supported his old partner to stand up, and once again drove the atmosphere of all the fans on the scene.

"Coach Li, don't do this, we want to see Vince Carter's dunk."

Hornets dugout.

Jimmy Butler looked at Kenny Smith and Barkley, who were still insisting on making Li Lai change their minds. At this moment, he pursed his lips in displeasure.

"It's not over, the coach has already said it's not enough, you still want to oh~ oh oh oh, oh~ oh oh, coach Li Lai, coach Li Lai, we want to see UFOs, we can't bear it if we don't care about them at all No, you."

"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

(End of this chapter)